Director Du Jiayi of adventure drama "Kora"[Photo by Chaire Wang]

Director Du Jiayi's adventure drama, "Kora", has been listed in the 48th Golden Horse Awards to compete for "Best New Director" and "Best Adapted Screenplay," after it short-listed for the 24th Tokyo International Film Festival.

Based on the best-selling book of the same name, the film "Kora" tells the tale of a young Taiwanese who journeys to Tibet by bicycle in order to fulfill his late brother's last wish. It depicts the beautiful scenery along side the Yunnan-Tibet borders starting from Lijiang to Lhasa.

ChinaTibetOnline reporter Claire Wang took an interview with Director of "Kora" Du Jiayi before the director's trip to Tokyo International Film Festival on October 22, the followings are the digest of the interview discussion.

"Compared with Tibet, human is nothing"
Q: what message do you want to deliver through this movie?
A: "Depicting the magnificent and beautiful scenery of Yunnan-Tibet borders belongs to the mission of the scenic film, while "Kora" stresses the sentimental side of it."
Q: Why do you choose Tibet to film your story?
A: I have been to Tibet for several times by cycle or by car. I found compared with Tibet, human is nothing. Only in this splendid natural power can humans including me find the original needs of human being and reflect the meaning of life. Tibet is a paradise of daydreamers.

"Kora is not noun, it is a verb."
Q: Why do you name the film "Kora"?
A: I see “Kora”a verb instead of a noun. “Kora”is to reflect your mind and purify your soul. From the meaning of the word, Kora is both a type of pilgrimage and a type of meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Kora is performed by making a walking circumambulation around a temple, stupa, or other sacred site. In this way kora functions as a mind-calming meditative exercise.

"Pain makes you understand the meaning of your life."
Q: When did you enter Tibet for shooting?
A: I didn't choose Tibet's best season for shooting, whereas I chose the winter season when the weather condition in Tibet was severely bad and the oxygen level of air was considerably low.
Q: Why?
A: Undertaking the difficulties, I and the whole shooting crew all experienced a test both on our physical bodies and our spiritual souls. Pain makes you understand the meaning of your life. I am sure after watching the film, audience would understand my meaning.

"Remember to protest the environment in Tibet at every moment"
Q: What do you want to say to cyclers to Tibet?
A: One thing I want to point out is that there is no cleaner in Tibet. If you travel to Tibet, please make sure all the rubbish is cleaned by yourself. The last thing, "Kora" will be screened nationwide on 3 November, welcome to go to cinemas to watch the film.